Arne Slot’s Liverpool fell to their third consecutive defeat on Saturday evening as Chelsea’s Brazilian starlet Estevão struck a dramatic late winner past Giorgi Mamardashvili. It was a sobering evening for the defending champions, who left Stamford Bridge with nothing to show for their efforts.
Meanwhile, Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea claimed all three points in a thriller that even saw the Italian manager sent off for over-celebrating the stoppage-time goal. Following the loss, many Liverpool supporters were united in their praise for one player in particular.
Despite cruising to the Premier League title in 2024/25, recent performances have shown that Slot’s side still have plenty to fix if they’re to defend their crown. That’s despite a £400 million summer outlay on new signings like Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, who are both still adjusting to life on Merseyside.
Liverpool’s defensive issues were again on display early on when Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté failed to close down Moises Caicedo, allowing the midfielder to smash home from distance in the 14th minute. Cody Gakpo offered hope with a second-half equaliser, but Estevão’s 95th-minute strike sealed the win for Chelsea and ensured another frustrating evening for the Reds.
💬 Liverpool Fans Laud Mamardashvili
Few Liverpool players emerged with credit after the defeat. Chelsea were sharper, hungrier, and deserved their victory. However, Giorgi Mamardashvili, deputising for the injured Alisson Becker, earned widespread praise for his performance.
Replacing a goalkeeper of Alisson’s calibre is no easy task, but the Georgian international, who joined from Valencia in the summer of 2025, looked composed and assured between the posts.
Chelsea’s relentless attacks kept him busy — he made four saves (three diving), completed two high claims, won two duels off his line, and recorded a 79% passing accuracy (33/42) across 90 minutes.
Stat vs Chelsea
Minutes 90
Touches 63
Saves 4
Diving Saves 3
High Claims 2
Accurate Passes 33/42 (79%)
Recoveries 13
Amid defensive disarray, Mamardashvili’s calm presence stood out. With Alisson potentially sidelined for up to six weeks and Caoimhin Kelleher no longer part of the picture, he now looks set to be Liverpool’s main goalkeeper for the foreseeable future.
If he maintains this level, Liverpool will be in safe hands — quite literally. Overshadowed by the club’s high-profile summer signings, Mamardashvili may prove to be their smartest piece of business.
Supporters took to social media to hail his display:
> “One positive today — Mamardashvili looks like a very capable keeper.”
“There were many poor performances, but Mamardashvili wasn’t one of them.”
“Only positive from today is Mamardashvili. He looked steady.”
Although the 2-1 defeat allowed Arsenal to leapfrog Liverpool in the Premier League table, fans will take comfort in the emergence of their new goalkeeper. After the October international break, the Reds will have the chance to bounce back when they host Manchester United at Anfield.
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